Join In With Songs And Stories About London

Vanessa, Nigel and a puppet. Photo by Jenny Woolf
Here's something special for the littler Londonist readers — the chance to help create a new London song and get involved in stories aboard 'Dazzle Ship', HMS President.

Professional storyteller Vanessa Woolfe, and songwriter Nigel of Bermondsey — collectively known as London Dreamtime — will be regaling audiences with yarns based on the river and the city at a special family-friendly event, as part of Totally Thames.

During A Trip Down the Thames in Story and Song, Nigel will be inviting the audience to provide ideas and themes, before writing a song around the suggestions on the spot — and then performing it live.

"It's going to be really exciting," says Woolfe. "We'll be filming the song for YouTube too."

Among tales which may feature include a golem made from Thames mud, and the story of two queens — Queen Rat, and Margaret Finch — Queen of the Gypsies.

"In some ways, we've lost the art of storytelling in Western society, but these tales are every bit as gripping as Game of Thrones or Mad Men," says Woolfe. "While we don't have so much of a formal storytelling tradition as we used to, it still lives on through a vibrant spoken-word scene.

A Trip Down the Thames in Story and Song takes place on 21 September at 3.30pm-5pm aboard HMS President. Tickets are £7.50, £5 concessions​, FREE for children aged 11 and under. Aimed at 5-11 year olds but all welcome.